Growing up in the small town of Molong, Donny spent her time learning guitar and singing along to every single one of her mum’s records. The gigs started rolling in when she turned 15 and she has never looked back. Through her original music she writes about personal experiences, and other things that matter, in an amalgamation of folk, blues, jazz, roots and rock styles.
Donny Shades Duo, Thursday at The Rails, Byron Bay. Free show.
The British Film Festival at Palace Cinemas in Byron Bay until December 8 – The 2024 Russell Hobbs British Film Festival returns with a star-studded line up. The specially curated program features tender dramas, action-packed thrillers, comedy, documentaries and retrospectives, starring some of Britain’s most well-known faces including Saoirse Ronan, Andrew Garfield, Florence Pugh, Ralph Fiennes, Jude Law and Tim Roth.
Palace Cinemas until December 8. Tickets: palacecinemas.com.au.
Stand Up For Mandy is on! On Wednesday join Mandy and her mates Kitty Flanagan, Dave Hughes, Akmal Saleh, Jackie Loeb, Ting Lim and Ellen Briggs.
Wednesday 7pm Twin Towns Showroom – Tweed Heads. Tickets: twintowns.com.au.
Kookaburras, koalas, pelicans, spangled drongos, galahs, pademelons; these are some of our wild creatures that bring us joy and make us laugh with their curious calls and comic antics. They also need our help – Wild Aid 2024 #standupforthewildlife showcases the comedy of Jimeoin, Lehmo and Mandy Nolan.
Wild Aid 2024, Thursday from 6pm at the Beach Hotel, Byron Bay.
Tickets $70 at moshtix.com.au.
Singer songwriter Hayley Grace has that something special. Her soulful, unmistakable sound and her energetic live shows looping guitar, vocals, beat boxing and percussion are an explosion of funk, reggae, soul, RnB and trip hop.
Saturday 6pm at the Ballina RSL. Free show.
Making fun of life, the Versace Boys create satirical pop-hop that hits home every time. Lacing their shows with freestyle litness, synchronised dance moves, anthemic bangers and insight into the struggles of being incredibly rich, famous, gorgeous, and humble.
Friday from 7pm at The Channon Tavern. Free show.
Essentially a cover band, now branching out into original music that feels right to play, Fat Albert is coming straight from the balls and soul of rock’n’roll. In the past few years they have notched up over a thousand live shows – they have also done supports, played alongside, and shared the stage with many local and international acts.
Fat Albert on Saturday night at the Railway Hotel, Byron Bay. Free show.
For four decades The Echo has printed the stories some people loved, some people hated, and some pretended not to read. If you want us to keep telling the truth, the real truth, not the sugar-coated version. We’ll need your support to keep the presses rolling. 
